Startup key combinations for Mac

Some Mac features and tools are available by holding down one or more keyboard keys during startup.

To use any of these key combinations, press and hold the keys immediately after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac, or immediately after your Mac begins to restart. Keep holding until the described behavior occurs.

If your Mac is using a firmware password, all of these key combinations are disabled, except as noted below.

Reset NVRAM (or PRAM).If your Mac is using a firmware password, this combination causes your Mac to start up from macOS Recovery instead. Turn off the firmware password from macOS Recovery, then restart and reset NVRAM.